CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Youth Crime Action Plan (Family Support)

Edward Balls: I am pleased to announce, together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Office, our intention to provide a £22 million funding package to 83 local authorities over 2009-10 and 2010-11 to implement family intervention projects and the "Think Family" reforms as set out in the youth crime action plan. This will improve services for families at risk to help prevent children and young people offending and experiencing other poor outcomes.
	I am placing the list of 83 local authorities and their funding allocations in the Libraries of both Houses. We will write to the 83 local authorities by 19 December setting out the process for agreeing the use of these funds.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Jim Knight: I would like to update the House on the figures that have previously been quoted in regard to the delivery of education maintenance allowances (EMAs).
	In my statement of 19 November about delivery of learner support schemes I indicated that as of the day before there were 12,016 applications for EMA in the process of being finalised. This information was drawn from statistics provided to the LSC by Liberata.
	Since then, in response to emerging concerns about the methodology being used by Liberata to calculate the work in progress statistics, and to ensure that the figures were accurate in advance of the transfer of the contract to Capita, the LSC commissioned a full count of the outstanding applications. This analysis was made possible by the relatively small number of applications still remaining.
	Liberata's physical count on 21 November recorded that there were around 26,000 applications in the process of being finalised. The LSC advises me that the new figure represents a more accurate reflection of the outstanding number of applications. However, once the contract has transferred, Capita will review these figures in more detail.
	Clearly this is unsatisfactory. I have therefore today written to Mark Haysom, chief executive of the LSC, asking for a full explanation as to why the issue with the methodology for calculating the statistics had not been revealed sooner.
	I have written to the Chairman of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee to update him on this matter. I am placing a copy of this letter in the Library of the House, along with a copy of my letter to Mark Haysom.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Supporting People

Sadiq Khan: The Government are today announcing that the Supporting People programme funding of £1.66 billion will be paid as a named unringfenced grant to administering authorities for 2009-10 and will be included in area-based grants from 2010-11. This is the largest single grant to authorities to help millions of people live independently in their homes and this means that authorities will have the flexibility to spend this money as they see fit to help some of the most vulnerable people in their communities.
	This year Government have been working with 15 administering authorities, providers, service users, and stakeholders to gather views and evidence about the potential impact of removing the ring fence for Supporting People. During this period, there have not been any serious concerns raised and the feedback from the 15 administering authorities has shown that the kind of innovation they are delivering has been positive and is enabling the delivery of jointly commissioned services which provide better outcomes for service users.
	The transition to a non-ringfenced funding stream needs to be managed carefully and Government will continue to work with the sector and build on the success of the programme. Today Government are also announcing a number of measures to support the transition of delivery through an unringfenced grant which will include:
	A commitment to deliver a new financial modelling tool which will provide evidence at a local level on the financial benefits of investment in housing support in terms of crisis prevention and the reduced need for more intensive and costly interventions, leading to better outcomes for the citizen and savings to the public purse. The Department will be seeking tenders for this work before Christmas.
	The announcement of two national conferences jointly hosted by CLG, DH, the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services in January 2009 to help authorities and their commissioning partners learn from the Pathfinder project and consider how their own localities will respond to the changing agenda.
	A commitment that CLG will continue to work with member groups in the sector to support providers in responding to the new commissioning and procurement environment. This will include 18 regional roundtable events in early 2009 to bring commissioners and providers together to discuss planning for the future.
	Communities and Local Government are committed to working with the Office of the Third Sector on promoting better commissioning practice, with a special focus on small third sector groups.
	The publication today of guidance on understanding regional need for housing related support. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
	Ongoing support from the Communities and Local Government regional resource teams to support local performance improvement on the commissioning and delivery of services—taking into account the work being undertaken by Government offices and the regional improvement and efficiency partnerships.

FiReControl

Sadiq Khan: I wish to inform the House about the progress of the FiReControl project, which will establish a linked network of highly resilient fire control rooms across England to replace the current stand-alone facilities.
	Major emergencies in recent years have shown us the very real challenges we face in today's world. The fire and rescue service is central to our ability to be able to respond to these and the Government are determined to support it by investing around £1 billion to ensure that it has the necessary capabilities and resilience. The FiReControl project is an important part of this investment.
	FiReControl will give all fire and rescue services access to systems and technology that only a few currently benefit from. It will result in greater resilience and collaboration, better information and incident support for firefighters, and a better service to the public—both day to-day and during major incidents.
	The Government are investing £380 million in FiReControl and remain strongly committed to it. Good progress has been made on a number of fronts, including the completion of eight new highly resilient regional control centre buildings, the establishment of eight local authority controlled companies which bring together all relevant local partners, and the development of a strong network of regional project teams working to ensure the project is a success in their areas.
	However, FiReControl is a complex and demanding project and as such is subject to rigorous ongoing review. Since I took up my post as fire Minister a thorough review of all aspects of the FiReControl project has been completed, and a number of difficulties with the ICT and other dimensions of the project were identified. These issues will result in some delay, and the FRS rightly expects us to address these in full.
	As a result I can announce today that the project is now aiming to achieve cut-over to the first three regional control centres in the North East, East Midlands and South West in summer 2010—nine months later than previously expected, with the full system expected to be in place by spring 2012—five months later than originally planned. I want to emphasise however that, as with any project of this nature, we will only have certainty about the timing of these later stages of the project once earlier stages have been completed successfully.
	Our updated plans are being delivered in close partnership with the fire and rescue service, fire and rescue authorities and our suppliers, EADS Defence and Security Systems Ltd. Shorter-term milestones will be monitored very carefully and progress shared with our partners. Longer-term milestones will be reviewed as the project progresses. Members of the fire and rescue service are being given more opportunities to contribute to the development of the project so that they can have full confidence in the new systems being developed, with staff embedded in national and local project teams and playing a full part in joint working groups.
	I am also committed to ensuring transparency around the project wherever practical. So I am today publishing Part 2 of the 'FiReControl Business Case', and seeking views during a period of consultation. Part 1 of the business case was published on 8 July 2008 and was placed in the Library of the House. Part 2 will be placed in the Library of the House later today.

Local Government

John Healey: Earlier this year, Parliament debated and approved Structural Change Orders to create from 1 April 2009 nine new unitary councils—Bedford borough council, Cheshire East council, Cheshire West and Chester council, Central Bedfordshire council, Cornwall council, County Durham council, Northumberland council, Shropshire council and Wiltshire council.
	We are working closely with those responsible locally for implementing these new unitary councils to complete the legislative framework needed to support the transition to these new councils. We have already made and laid before Parliament Staffing Regulations (June 2008), Transfer of Functions Regulations (August 2008), and two sets of Transitional Regulations (August and November 2008).
	Today, I have laid before the House the Local Government (Structural Changes) (Finance) Regulations 2008, which represent a further significant milestone towards the completion of the legislative framework.
	These regulations, made under part 1 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, make transitional, supplementary and consequential provision in relation to finance, including in particular the following matters:
	The setting and approval of budgets, and the process of billing for council tax and non-domestic rates for each unitary council's first financial year.
	Enabling the equalisation of council tax in restructuring areas to occur over a period of more than one year but at the latest in the financial year after the fifth anniversary of the reorganisation to provide where necessary for a more equitable process of equalisation. If these transitional provisions are not used, council tax equalisation will occur in the first financial year.
	Providing that existing local rating lists and valuation lists for a reorganising area will be the lists of the new councils on and after the reorganisation date, and providing for the amalgamation of these lists into a single document at any time after the reorganisation date.
	Ensuring that after a reorganisation, the new unitary council has continuity and responsibility for finance functions relating to earlier financial years.
	I am confident that these regulations will ensure that the new unitary councils will have the powers they need to set their budget and council tax for 2009-10, and to bill and collect both their council tax and non-domestic rates for that year. They will also ensure that the new councils are able to fulfil their responsibilities, including enforcement activity, relating to earlier financial years.
	No one underestimates the scale of the task those leading the changes in these areas face over the coming months. A key measure of success for the new unitary councils will be that, from the outset, their council tax is affordable and that they adopt a budget which both reflects the savings proposed in their original unitary bid and delivers efficient and quality local services. The framework the regulations put in place will enable them to do this.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

State Aid Notification

Andy Burnham: In June 2007, my right hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Tessa Jowell), who was then the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, announced that the Government proposed to ask the BBC to make up to £14 million of licence fee funding available to assist Channel 4 with the capital costs of digital switchover. The announcement made clear that the assistance was subject to state aid approval from the European Commission and a formal notification seeking that approval was submitted to the Commission in October 2007.
	In March this year, the Commission opened a formal investigation procedure in respect of the notification. The Government submitted a response to the Commission, as did two interested third parties.
	In the period since the notification was made, the debate on the future of public service broadcasting in the UK has moved on significantly. Furthermore, the structural challenges that traditional commercially funded public service broadcasters face have been exacerbated by current cyclical conditions.
	The Government have therefore brought forward their timeline for decisions and are now committed to take a more comprehensive view on the future institutional and financial framework of public service broadcasting, including the future of Channel 4, early in 2009 within the framework of the Digital Britain project. The Digital Britain project was launched in October to look at innovation, investment and quality in the digital and communications sectors. The Digital Britain report will be a comprehensive analysis of the United Kingdom's digital economy and will bring forward proposals to support the development of these sectors.
	The emerging proposals are likely to be more wide-ranging than a proposition relating specifically to Channel 4's switchover costs. The Government will of course ensure that any new proposals for potential state aid arising from this wider consideration process are properly notified to the Commission in advance of implementation.
	Against this background the Government have decided against proceeding with the notified proposals to provide assistance for Channel 4 in respect of its switchover costs. The Government have accordingly informed the Commission that they wish to withdraw the current state aid notification.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

EU Energy Council

Edward Miliband: I am pleased to outline the agenda items for the forthcoming Energy Council in Brussels on 8 December where I plan to represent the UK.
	The first item on the agenda is the EU climate and energy package—a directive on the improvement and extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; a directive covering greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU ETS; a directive on regulatory storage of carbon dioxide; and a directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. We expect the presidency to provide information on progress.
	The presidency will report on progress in implementation of the current energy labelling and eco-design for energy-using products directive and we expect a debate on the proposal for a directive establishing a framework for the setting of eco-design requirements for energy related products.
	Ministers will discuss the Second Strategic Energy Review (SEER2) on the basis of questions from the presidency. Member States are likely to welcome its publication and to express initial views on priorities. There will be further discussion at February's energy council, with a view to adopting an action plan at the March 2009 spring Council.
	Finally, the presidency and Commission will report on the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council and the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bluetongue Serotype One

Hilary Benn: On 25 November 2008 evidence of Bluetongue Serotype One infection was found in five imported cattle on a premises near Blackpool in Lancashire.
	The animals were imported from within the BTV1 and BTV 8 restricted zone in the south-west of France and were detected as a result of post-import testing carried out by DEFRA on 19 November. These tests are carried out on all bluetongue susceptible animals arriving in the UK from continental Europe.
	This is the first case of BTV1 infection in animals imported into the UK and the five animals have been culled as they may pose a disease threat to other animals. A further animal from the same consignment tested positive for bluetongue virus, though the serotype for this animal could not be confirmed after initial tests. This animal was also culled to prevent any further risk of disease spread.
	There is no evidence to suggest that this import was illegal. The documentation for this livestock movement appears to be in accordance with the requirements of the EU legislation. Early investigations indicate that these animals were vaccinated, and had waited the 60 days as required before movement. The tests indicate that despite this some of the livestock may present a disease risk to UK livestock. We have therefore culled all six animals on a precautionary basis.
	The premises are now under restriction while an epidemiological investigation takes place. This will include further checks on the other animals present on the premises.
	There is no evidence that BTV1 is circulating in the UK and no additional control zones have been declared.
	This response is in accordance with DEFRA's bluetongue control strategy, and with the full support of our core group of industry stakeholders and the devolved Administrations.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Visit to Israel, the Occupied Territories, Syria and Lebanon

David Miliband: I visited Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria and Lebanon between 16 and 19 November. In Israel I met Prime Minister Olmert, Foreign Minister Livni, Defence Minister Barak and opposition leader Netanyahu. In Ramallah, I met President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. In Syria I met President Assad and Foreign Minister Muallem. In Lebanon I met President Sleiman, Prime Minister Siniora and several senior political leaders. I also heard the perspectives of students, journalists, religious leaders and civil society activists. I spoke to them all about the current situation in the region, the prospects for progress towards a just and lasting settlement of the middle east conflict, and how the UK is seeking to reinforce the efforts made this year to contribute to a stronger more comprehensive peace effort in 2009.
	The Annapolis process has been important in building understanding between the parties. It has helped restate the fundamentals of a negotiated settlement, and that there is no viable alternative to a two-state solution. The Israel-Syria talks are a promising beginning. We should build on these to create a fresh dynamic: a more comprehensive process that can deliver a broader peace across the region.
	In all four places, I made the case for accepting compromises and taking decisions for peace. I made it clear that we recognised that all faced hard choices: Israel fulfilling its roadmap commitment on illegal settlements and improving conditions on the west bank, and particularly Gaza, consistent with Israeli security concerns; the Palestinians finding a way to reunite around negotiations and non-violence; Syria moving towards playing a constructive, rather than destructive role, helping restrain the militants and restating its commitment to the Arab peace initiative; and an independent and democratic Lebanese Government surmounting sectarianism to build a state that can deliver peace and security for its people.
	I heard much about the challenges. In Israel, I discussed the threat from Iran and I saw first hand the rockets which have been fired at Sderot. I also heard much about the suffering in Gaza. It is vital that both sides seek to reinforce the ceasefire: Hamas by engaging with President Abbas and moving to non-violence and the Quartet principles; and Israel by easing restrictions on life in Gaza. The recent tightening of these restrictions on humanitarian access—as highlighted by the UN Secretary-General—is of serious concern and while I welcome the re-opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing on 24 November, I support the UN Secretary-General's call for Israel to permit the sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza.
	My visit to Syria was the first at a senior political level since the then Prime Minister's visit in 2001. Syria is an important regional player with a significant role to play in securing stability in the region. I visited now because Syria has taken some positive steps recently including beginning talks with Israel and undertaking to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon. It came after a series of meetings with the Syrian Foreign Minister in which they had indicated a desire for a better relationship with the UK. I was clear about areas of concern: Lebanon; the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq; counter-terrorism; MEPP; and human rights—but I welcomed the positive moves they had made and expressed a willingness to build on these. Syria has an important choice before it: to be a force for stability or instability. I urged Syria to take the former.
	The thread running through the visit was the need for a comprehensive peace and for all to work for it. The UK will continue to work closely with those in the region and beyond to reinforce the peace process and work to create hope that progress is possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Police and Community Safety (Funding Settlement 2009-10)

Vernon Coaker: I have today placed in the Library our proposals for allocation of police grant for England and Wales for 2009-10, with indicative allocations for 2010-11. I intend to implement the proposals on police grant subject to consideration of any representations and to the approval of the House.
	The Government announced last year provisional funding totals for the three-year period 2008-09 to 2010-11. Three-year settlements were widely welcomed by police authorities, enabling them to develop medium-term financial strategies and control their spending. The recent multi-year pay deal for the police will help improve further still their medium-term planning. We intend to implement the settlement for 2009-10 broadly unchanged from last year's announcement.
	The funding settlement for next year is built on considerable investment in the police service since 1997-98. On a like-for-like basis, Government grant for the police will have increased by over 60 per cent. or over £3.7 billion between 1997-98 and 2010-11. This has helped to expand local policing considerably. Police officer numbers at the end of March this year remain historically high at 140,230 (14,405 more than 1997). The police work force overall, including officers, support staff and community support officers, has increased by 27.5 per cent. (50,246) since 1997 to 233,263 in March 2008, a record number. The work force increased by 3,166 (+1.4 per cent.) between March 2007 and March 2008.
	The police reform programme continues. The Policing Green Paper "From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing our communities together" was published on 17 July. It set out the Government's vision for the future of policing and put forward proposals to empower citizens, professionalise and free the police from unnecessary bureaucracy and to sharpen the strategic role of Government. Over 300 formal responses to consultation were received. Home Office Ministers and officials have met over a thousand people to share views and prompt debate. We are considering the many views that were put forward and will produce a public response to the consultation shortly setting out the Government's position and plans for implementation.
	We have made good progress to date in implementing Sir Ronnie Flanagan's recommendations on reducing bureaucracy. We are also developing the new, single national target on confidence. This target is to increase public confidence that agencies are tackling local crime and antisocial behaviour priorities.
	Neighbourhood policing is continuing to transform police forces' relationships with their communities through closer engagement with local people, joint problem solving and working together to make changes for the longer term to make communities safer. Every community in England and Wales now has a dedicated neighbourhood policing team aiming to identify and tackle the key policing priorities identified by local people. The next phase of neighbourhood policing will concentrate on integrating with other local authority services at a neighbourhood level. Neighbourhood crime and justice co-ordinators will help ensure that this is delivered faster and further. This next phase will also build on good practice to deliver a national pledge that guarantees the public key service standards.
	The Home Office also contributes £76 million to the safer and stronger communities fund and the young persons substance misuse partnership grant delivered by local government. In addition, the capital element of the safer and stronger communities fund remains at £18 million. This funding will help local areas to deliver national and local improvement priorities such as those set out in local area agreements.
	The police grant settlement 2009-10
	Total provision for policing revenue grants in 2009-10 will be £9,482 million, an overall increase of 2.8 per cent. I propose to distribute the settlement as set out below.
	
		
			 Table1: Police Revenue Funding Settlement 2009-10 compared with 2008-09 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			  £m £m £m(2) 
			 Home Office general grant 4,543 4,666 4,792 
			 DCLG/WAG general grant 3,488 3,583 3,680 
			 Welsh Top-up 15 16 16 
			 Total general Formula Grant(1) 8,062 8,281 8,504 
			 % increase in general grant 2.7% . 2.7% 2.7% 
			 Total specific grants 1,165 1,201 1,237 
			 Total Government funding for police authorities 9,227 9,482 9,741 
			 % increase in total Government revenue funding 2.9% 2.8% 2.7% 
			 (1)This figure includes the formula grant allocations in table 2 plus former specific grants (£208m) that are now added to general grant but are not distributed according to the formula. (2)Indicative figures. 
		
	
	Police funding proposals within the local government finance system for England are being announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government today and those for Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government.
	Provisional general policing grants (for example, Home Office police grant, revenue support grant and national non domestic rates) for English and Welsh police authorities in 2009-10 are set out at table 2. Indicative figures for 2010-11 are given in table 3.
	General grant
	Within the general grant provision of 2.7 per cent., the funding floor was set at 2.5 per cent. for each of the CSR years. Each police authority in England and Wales is guaranteed an increase of at least this level. The grant floor provides for stability but at the same time a degree of grant scaling has enabled us to target resources to areas with greater relative need. Our promised review of the funding formula before the next CSR is already under way with active collaboration from the police community.
	The Government are clear that there is no excuse for excessive increases in precepts on council tax next year. We will not hesitate to use capping powers to deal with excessive council tax increases in 2009-10, including requiring authorities to re-bill if necessary. We took capping action against seven police authorities in 2008-09. This included designating Cheshire, Leicestershire and Warwickshire police authorities for capping in advance for 2009-10. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government is announcing today that action is being taken forward to limit these authorities' precept increases to around 3 per cent. in 2009-10. The three authorities have 21 days in which to challenge our decision. Any challenges will be carefully considered before final decisions are taken.
	Welsh police authorities
	I have again ensured that Welsh police authorities are treated in line with English police authorities. I have provided additional support of £15.5 million in 2009-10 to ensure that Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and North Wales police authorities receive at least a minimum grant increase of 2.5 per cent. Floor funding is also partly funded by reducing police grant to South Wales police authority, so that it too will receive the level of grant it would if it were in England.
	There are some small changes between funding for the four Welsh police authorities due to corrected data from the Welsh Assembly Government on the number of band D properties in Wales. This correction has no effect on the amount or distribution of funds for English police authorities.
	Specific grants for police authorities
	Police authorities will continue to receive specific grants for particular schemes. Details are set out in table 4.
	Counter-terrorism funding—We will continue to invest in counter-terrorism policing. As announced last year, funding for police counter-terrorism will be increased from £524 million in 2008-09 to £552 million in 2009-10.
	Crime fighting fund—Some £277 million will again be made available to forces in 2009-10.
	Neighbourhood policing— We will maintain the ring-fence on this funding for at least the next two years to ensure that it is properly embedded. Funding will increase by an average of 2.7 per cent. in each year. A total of £332 million will be made available in 2009-10.
	Basic command unit fund— This will run for one final year at the same level as in 2008-09, £40 million, while plans are developed for a new community safety fund to be created from the resources in the existing BCU fund from April 2010.
	Funding additional to the settlement
	Protective services—We made available an additional £35 million from 2008-09 to 2010-11 to support tackling serious organised crime and other protective services— £1l million a year was provided in the first two years, rising to £13 million in 2010-11, to ensure all forces meet the national standards for capability and capacity in protective services by 2011.
	Guns, gangs and knives— In 2008-09, £6.8 million was made available to the 10 police forces in the tackling knives action programme to enable them and their partners to undertake additional activity to tackle knife crime and gang-related violence. For 2009-10, we will consider making additional specific grant available to areas where knife and gun crime is particularly prevalent or there are significant concerns over gang-related activity. This will enable the police and their partners to bear down on serious violence in our communities.
	The safer and stronger communities fund—Resource element of £61 million and the young peoples substance misuse grant of £15 million will continue to be paid into the area-based grant for 2009-10. The safer and stronger communities fund capital element will remain at £18 million, and will be paid direct to local authorities by the Home Office.
	Capital
	Capital grant and supported capital expenditure totalling £220 million will be allocated in 2009-10 with each police authority receiving the same allocation as in 2008-09.
	In addition to the general provision of capital grant in 2008-09, a £50 million capital fund was provided to increase the number of handheld computers in use by frontline officers. In view of the enthusiastic response from frontline officers, and the success of the programme, a further £25 million capital was announced in the Policing Green Paper as part of our campaign to reduce bureaucracy, making a total of £75 million for the whole programme over the CSR years.
	Efficiency
	Improving performance and increasing efficiency remains critical. We are acutely aware that all provisions for the police must be fully justified. At local level, as we set out in the Policing Green Paper, it is for police authorities to set ambitious local targets and to hold their service to account for delivery. Full weight will have to be given to the importance of driving increased efficiency and productivity across the public sector.
	
		
			 Table 2: Police Grant Allocations by English and Welsh Police Authority 2008-09 
			  2008-09 2009-10 Change on 2008-09 
			  Formula Allocation(1) Allocation(1) Formula Allocation 
			 Police Authority £m £m % 
			 English Shire Authorities 
			 Avon and Somerset 173.7 179.7 3.5% 
			 Bedfordshire 68.5 70.8 3.3% 
			 Cambridgeshire 78.7 81.0 3.0% 
			 Cheshire 117.6 120.5 2.5% 
			 Cleveland 95.3 97.7 2.5% 
			 Cumbria 65.6 67.2 2.5% 
			 Derbyshire 109.2 112.6 3.2% 
			 Devon and Cornwall 181.9 186.4 2.5% 
			 Dorset 63.7 65.3 2.5% 
			 Durham 89.2 91.4 2.5% 
			 Essex 173.0 177.9 2.8% 
			 Gloucestershire 57.8 59.3 2.5% 
			 Hampshire 202.2 207.5 2.6% 
			 Hertfordshire 117.7 121.1 3.0% 
			 Humberside 125.1 128.4 2.6% 
			 Kent 187.2 192.1 2.7% 
			 Lancashire 198.8 204.1 2.7% 
			 Leicestershire 114.7 118.0 2.9% 
			 Lincolnshire 62.3 64.3 3.1% 
			 Norfolk 85.4 87.6 2.5% 
			 North Yorkshire 74.8 76.7 2.5% 
			 Northamptonshire 73.5 75.5 2.6% 
			 Nottinghamshire 136.9 141.4 3.3% 
			 Staffordshire 117.4 120.6 2.7% 
			 Suffolk 69.2 71.0 2.5% 
			 Surrey 99.3 101.8 2.5% 
			 Sussex 165.7 169.8 2.5% 
			 Thames Valley 231.9 238.2 2.7% 
			 Warwickshire 52.8 54.1 2.6% 
			 West Mercia 118.9 121.8 2.5% 
			 Wiltshire 63.6 65.2 2.5% 
			 Shires Total 3571.3 3669.0 2.7% 
			 English Metropolitan Authorities 
			 Greater Manchester 445.6 458.9 3.0% 
			 Merseyside 260.6 267.4 2.6% 
			 Northumbria 243.8 249.9 2.5% 
			 South Yorkshire 199.1 204.1 2.5% 
			 West Midlands 468.0 486.1 3.9% 
			 West Yorkshire 328.2 339.2 3.4% 
			 Mets Total 1945.4 2005.7 3.1% 
			 London Authorities 
			 GLA-Police 1930.0 1978.3 2.5% 
			 City of London(2) 20.2 21.0 N/A 
			 English Total 7466.9 7674.0 2.8% 
			 Welsh Authorities 
			 Dyfed-Powys(3) 53.1 54.4 2.5% 
			 Gwent(3) 80.6 82.6 2.5% 
			 North Wales(3) 78.2 80.1 2.5% 
			 South Wales(3) 176.7 181.5 2.7% 
			 Welsh total 388.6 398.6 2.6% 
			 Total 7855.5 8072.6 2.8% 
			 Notes to tables 2 and 3 (1)Rounded to the nearest £100,000. Grant as calculated under the Local Government Finance Report (England) and Local Government Finance (No.2- Provisional Settlement Police Authorities) Report (Wales). Table includes the effects of floors and scaling. (2)Figures for the City of London relate to Home Office Grant only as calculated in the Police Grant Report (England and Wales). Revenue Support Grant is allocated to the Common Council of the City of London as a whole in respect of all its functions. The City is grouped with education authorities for the purposes of grant floors. (3)Welsh figures include Home Office floor funding. (4)Figures for 2010-11 are indicative 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 3: Police Grant Allocations by English and Welsh Police Authority 2009-10 to 2010-11 
			  2009-10 2010-11 Change on 2009-10 
			  Formula Allocation(1) Allocation(1,4) Formula Allocation 
			 Police Authority £m £m % 
			 English Shire Authorities 
			 Avon and Somerset 179.7 186.1 3.5% 
			 Bedfordshire 70.8 73.1 3.3% 
			 Cambridgeshire 81.0 83.5 3.0% 
			 Cheshire 120.5 123.5 2.5% 
			 Cleveland 97.7 100.1 2.5% 
			 Cumbria 67.2 68.9 2.5% 
			 Derbyshire 112.6 116.2 3.1% 
			 Devon and Cornwall 186.4 191.1 2.5% 
			 Dorset 65.3 66.9 2.5% 
			 Durham 91.4 93.7 2.5% 
			 Essex 177.9 183.1 2.9% 
			 Gloucestershire 59.3 60.8 2.5% 
			 Hampshire 207.5 213.0 2.7% 
			 Hertfordshire 121.2 124.9 3.0% 
			 Humberside 128.4 131.8 2.6% 
			 Kent 192.1 197.4 2.7% 
			 Lancashire 204.1 209.7 2.7% 
			 Leicestershire 118.0 121.4 2.9% 
			 Lincolnshire 64.3 66.3 3.2% 
			 Norfolk 87.6 89.8 2.5% 
			 North Yorkshire 76.7 78.6 2.5% 
			 Northamptonshire 75.5 77.5 2.7% 
			 Nottinghamshire 141.4 146.0 3.3% 
			 Staffordshire 120.6 123.8 2.7% 
			 Suffolk 71.0 72.7 2.5% 
			 Surrey 101.8 104.4 2.5% 
			 Sussex 169.8 174.1 2.5% 
			 Thames Valley 238.2 244.7 2.8% 
			 Warwickshire 54.1 55.6 2.7% 
			 West Mercia 121.8 124.9 2.5% 
			 Wiltshire 65.2 66.8 2.5% 
			 Shires Total 3669.0 3770.0 2.8% 
			 English Metropolitan Authorities 
			 Greater Manchester 458.9 472.5 3.0% 
			 Merseyside 267.4 274.3 2.6% 
			 Northumbria 249.9 256.2 2.5% 
			 South Yorkshire 204.1 209.2 2.5% 
			 West Midlands 486.1 504.3 3.8% 
			 West Yorkshire 339.2 350.5 3.3% 
			 Mets Total 2005.7 2067.1 3.1% 
			 London Authorities 
			 GLA-Police 1978.3 2027.7 2.5% 
			 City of London(2) 21.0 21.8 N/A 
			 English Total 7674.0 7886.6 2.8% 
			 Welsh Authorities 
			 Dyfed-Powys(3) 54.4 55.8 2.5% 
			 Gwent(3) 82.6 84.7 2.5% 
			 North Wales(3) 80.1 82.1 2.5% 
			 South Wales(3) 181.5 186.4 2.7% 
			 Welsh total 398.6 409.0 2.6% 
			 Total 8072.6 8295.7 2.8% 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 4: Specific Grant Allocations 2008-09 to 2010-11 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			  £m £m £m(1) 
			 Crime Fighting Fund 277 277 277 
			 Neighbourhood Policing Fund and Community Support Officers 324 332 341 
			 Police Counter -terrorism 524 552 579 
			 Basic Command Unit Fund 40 40 - 
			 Community Safety Fund - - 40 
			 Grand Total 1,165 1,201 1,237 
			 (1)Indicative figures

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Zimbabwe

Douglas Alexander: The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is rapidly deteriorating, with an escalating cholera outbreak making an already serious situation much worse.
	Today I am making available a £10 million package of support to provide life-saving assistance and respond to the escalation of the disease. This support will:
	provide essential drugs and medical supplies;
	support the provision of basic health services; and
	help UNICEF treat cholera cases and prevent further outbreaks.
	This package includes £3 million new funding, and brings our total support to the people of Zimbabwe to £47 million this financial year.
	With a collapsing health system and a population badly weakened by a prolonged food crisis, HIV and AIDS, the threat from cholera is all the more severe. More than 8,000 cases have already been reported, with over 300 deaths—the vast majority of them preventable under normal conditions. Our contribution will be used to provide vital medical supplies and equipment to treat patients, provide clean water supplies, and ensure that front-line health workers are available to treat patients.
	The food crisis in Zimbabwe also remains a serious challenge. The UN estimates that five million people will be in need of food aid as we move into the new year. To date, the UK has provided £9 million to the World Food Programme's appeal. With the results of nutritional surveys in the coming weeks we will, alongside the UN and other donors, monitor closely the need for further contributions.
	As the group of elders noted during their recent visit to southern Africa, the need to arrest the humanitarian crisis is now urgent. There is no doubt that this has been caused by a systemic and prolonged failure of policy and leadership in Zimbabwe. Only a political solution and a major change of policy direction by the Government of Zimbabwe can provide what is needed to Zimbabwe's people. The international community will continue to support the immediate needs of the Zimbabwean people.
	With international partners, we stand ready to play our part in Zimbabwe's economic and social recovery when the time comes.

JUSTICE

Probation Services (Best Value)

David Hanson: The Government are committed to ensuring taxpayers receive the best possible value for money from the record investment made in probation in recent years.
	I announced on 9 April 2008 the consultation on a best value regime for probation services and I am pleased to announce to the House the outcome of that consultation. I propose, following the consultation, to introduce a new best value framework as signalled during the passage of the Offender Management Bill last year.
	The National Offender Management Service Agency will require local probation boards and trusts to undertake a rolling programme of best value reviews. The proposed framework will apply to probation boards and trusts with the exception of areas reserved to probation trusts in the Offender Management Act 2007. It will enable boards and trusts to demonstrate, in a transparent way, the value for money of their services, and to drive improvements in the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of their service delivery. Having considered the options, I have decided that best value will proceed on the basis of benchmarking of selected areas of work, assessment of probation performance against that benchmark, and greater competition for all sectors for those who do not meet the required standard through improvements to existing services.
	I intend to announce shortly the first areas of work for which best value will apply. The Government are currently developing a regulatory framework to ensure that competition is conducted in a fair and transparent way, allowing all sectors to compete. Discussions are currently ongoing with interested parties and will be published in due course.
	The measures ensure greater value for money and more effective services, to punish and reform offenders and to deliver better outcomes for victims and the public.
	I am grateful for the response to the consultation from a wide range of interested parties.
	Copies of the Best Value consultation response document will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies will also be available in the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office and on the internet at http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp0608.htm

Publication of Election Candidates' Addresses

Michael Wills: The Government are today publishing a consultation paper which seeks views on whether candidates' addresses should continue to be disclosed automatically during UK parliamentary elections.
	The proposal has been made following the removal of MPs and peers from certain provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. It is argued that such public figures and their families face more than ordinary risks to their safety, security and peace of mind and that special considerations therefore apply to them.
	Others argue that the electoral process should be open and transparent and that those putting themselves forward for public office in this way should be prepared to face those risks in the interests of accountability and the free expression of democracy.
	This paper seeks to examine those arguments in more depth, as well as the practical issues which may arise from any proposed change and the implications for the electorate, for the electoral process, for candidates and for administrators.
	The Government have open minds on this issue and the purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the proposal that the full home addresses of candidates should no longer appear on ballot papers, nomination papers and other electoral documents open to public inspection at UK parliamentary elections.
	Copies of the consultation paper will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies will also be available in the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office.

TRANSPORT

Motorcycling Test

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have today published a consultation paper seeking views on a proposal to introduce a new practical motorcycling test and associated fees.
	It is proposed to split the practical motorcycling test into two modules:
	Module 1—a specified manoeuvres test.
	Module 2—a road riding test.
	It is also proposed to increase the practical motorcycling test fees from 5 October 2009.
	Copies of the consultation paper and initial impact assessments have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	The documents are also available from the DSA website—www.dsa.gov.uk—or by telephone on 0115 936 6092.
	Those wishing to comment on the proposals have until 9 January 2009 to do so.

King Review (Government Response)

Geoff Hoon: I am today publishing the Government Response to the King Review of Low-Carbon Cars. Copies of the report will be available in the Libraries of both Houses and a further copy of the report will be available on the Department for Transport website at www.dft.gov.uk
	The Government warmly welcome Professor King's wide-ranging and comprehensive report, published in two parts in October 2007 and March 2008, which set out the technology options likely to contribute to decarbonising road transport. Professor King made a number of policy recommendations ensuring that Government, industry and research communities all contribute to reducing carbon emissions from cars. The response document describes how Government are taking forward Professor King's recommendations as part of our wider mission to tackle the climate change impacts of the transport sector.
	Professor King's report provides grounds for optimism that major reductions in road transport emissions can be achieved in ways that are technologically feasible, affordable and publicly acceptable.
	Professor King's recommendations have a particular emphasis on technology and removing barriers to behavioural change. There are various recommendations aimed at driving technology change through EU legislation and promoting the research, development or deployment of relevant technologies to reduce the impacts of vehicles throughout their life-cycle. We are working on all these areas with a view to seeing a new car fleet average of 100gCO2/km by 2020—a target that will require deployment of a range of technologies such as all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars that hold the promise of ultra-low carbon private transport.
	We intend to seize the opportunities a low-carbon transport sector represents, thereby helping to reduce the UK's emissions from domestic sources and contributing to meeting our greenhouse gas targets as set out in the Climate Change Bill 2008.

Civil Aviation Authority

Geoff Hoon: Sir Joseph Pilling's report of his independent strategic review of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was published by the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Ruth Kelly) on 17 July. My right hon. Friend accepted Sir Joseph's recommendations in relation to the CAA's corporate governance and promised a further statement in the autumn. I should like to add my thanks to Sir Joseph for his important contribution to ensuring that the CAA will be as effective a regulator in the future as it has been in the past.
	I accept that the CAA's current status as a public corporation should be retained. As Sir Joseph recommended, the department will work with the CAA to develop amendments to bring the legislative framework up to date, addressing specific issues identified in the report. As Sir Joseph noted, some of his recommendations were relevant to the separate review of airport economic regulation which my predecessor announced in April and to improving the passenger experience, such as his recommendation for a statutory Air Transport Users Council (AUC). He was also right to ask us to consider whether the UK's aviation regulator should have a general environmental duty and in what context. We are looking sympathetically at these connected issues, which would require legislation and prior consultation, and will make a further announcement in the early part of next year.
	Otherwise, I am pleased to be able to announce that I have accepted in broad principle Sir Joseph's recommendations, as has the CAA board. Implementation of the report's many recommendations, and corresponding revisions to the sponsorship statement which defines our relationship, are in hand with two exceptions. We are deferring a decision on changing the route of appeal for fitness of character decisions until the general regulatory chamber and the supporting first tier tribunals are fully established. Also, in the financial downturn which has developed since Sir Joseph Pilling reported, I have agreed with the CAA that it is not a priority to recruit additional international staff or rent separate premises for the AUC although the CAA will endeavour to meet the principle of these recommendations in other ways.
	I am also pleased to say that the process of governance change has begun. We are currently seeking a new part-time non-executive Chair for the CAA and this will be followed by the recruitment of a chief executive for the CAA, on the basis envisaged by Sir Joseph Pilling.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Protection from Disability Discrimination

Jonathan R Shaw: In preparing the disability discrimination provisions for inclusion in the proposed Equality Bill, the Government have been considering the implications of both the House of Lords' judgment of 25 June 2008 on the case of the London borough of Lewisham v Malcolm, and the European Commission's proposals to introduce a new directive that will provide protection against discrimination based on disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age, in areas beyond employment.
	We have considered how the present Disability Discrimination Act 1995 now operates in respect of discrimination that arises for a reason related to the individual's disability. We have concluded that it would be appropriate for the disability provisions in the Equality Bill to take a different approach to this type of discrimination from that currently taken in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We intend instead to use the concept of indirect discrimination. We consider that this will provide improved protection for disabled people in the Equality Bill by ensuring that the legislation re-establishes an appropriate balance between the rights of disabled people and the interest of duty holders. It will also improve consistency within the Bill between the disability provisions and the provisions for people who have the other protected characteristics, and ensure compliance with the anticipated requirements of European anti-discrimination legislation.
	We are today beginning a consultation on the proposal to adopt the concept of indirect discrimination for disability within the Equality Bill. The consultation will end on 6 January 2009.
	Preparing for the Bill is a substantial undertaking as it will bring together the wide range of equality legislation. In order to allow for analysis of the consultation responses, and to ensure that decisions based on the analysis can inform the provisions in the Bill, it is necessary to restrict the consultation period to six weeks. However, to ensure that we obtain an appropriately broad range of input to the consultation, the written consultation is being supplemented by a range of discussions with key stakeholders including representatives from the fields of disability, equality, business, advice, and the voluntary sector.
	The consultation document is being sent to around 200 organisations and will be available on the website of the Office for Disability Issues at: http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/indirectdiscrimination and on my Department's website at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2008. Copies will be placed in the House Library.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Pension Schemes

Rosie Winterton: My noble Friend the Lord McKenzie of Luton has made the following statement:
	"During the passage of the Pensions Bill through both Houses, there has been much debate on the Government's view on responsible investment and disinvestment by pension schemes. This is clearly an issue of some importance—particularly to trustees—and is one which is continually developing as the body of case law on responsible investment evolves.
	It would be inappropriate for the Government to comment on the future development of the existing principles contained in case law, as the interpretation of case law is of course a matter for the courts and not for Ministers.
	However, I would like to put on record the Government's view of the law. There is no reason in law why, in making investment decisions, trustees cannot consider social, ethical and environmental considerations, including sustainability, in addition to their usual criteria of financial returns, security and diversification.
	It follows from this that it may be appropriate for trustees to engage in these considerations with companies in which they invest. This may include disinvesting from such companies if, acting in accordance with their fiduciary duties and the objects of their trust, they consider that this is right and in the best interests of their members."